If the words “flying bike” don’t get you excited, you are in need of urgent medical attention. For that is precisely what the Xturismo is and a spectacular one at that, like some sort of sleek, open-worked electronic invertebrate.

The machine is made by Aerwins, formerly A.L.I. Technologies, a company headquartered in the US and backed by the likes of Mitsubishi Electric, with Japanese founders who refer to it as a “luxury air cruiser”.

The Xturismo has a maximum range of 40km and can fly for 40 minutes at up to 100km/h, carrying up to 100kg while it does so. Made of carbon fibre and aluminium, and available in black, red or blue, it’s 3.7 metres long, 2.4 metres wide and 1.5 metres tall, and weighs in at 300kg. It features two massive fan blades at the front and back to help it take off, and four smaller ones for navigation. The fans are powered by a hybrid source that combines a conventional petrol engine with four battery powered motors, with the pilot able to access detailed information on how this is all performing via an interface on their phone or tablet.

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It won’t be available until 2023, but the manufacturer has been taking orders since last year. The Xturismo is classified as an aircraft in most places (Japan is currently the exception), meaning that you’ll need a pilot’s licence to fly it, and you’ll have to log flight plans each time you want to do so – assuming it gets regulatory approval. That means it’s not yet terribly practical for those of us who aren’t, say, owners of private islands, but then with its hefty price tag, that’s pretty much who you’d need to be to buy one anyway.

The manufacturer has suggested that it could potentially be used in search and rescue missions – which would almost make it worth getting lost on purpose.

Cost: Approx US$768,000

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2. Airborne Drones’ Vanguard

This long-range surveillance drone gets a lot of attention for its appearance: all spindly arms and matt surfaces, like a futuristic arthropod. It can remain in the air for a mightily impressive 94 minutes, shooting 4K film with its optical camera (it has a thermal imager too) and, in the top-of-the-line model, providing the user with a continuous 1080p live feed into the bargain.

Cost: Approx US$45,000

3. Lockheed Martin Indago 3

Popular for military and law enforcement tasks, this drone from a storied name in full-sized aircraft is designed to be rugged and “whisper quiet”. Its controller has a built-in screen to help make flying it as intuitive as possible, and the company claims it takes just two minutes to get airborne. It can remain aloft for up to 50-75 minutes, depending on the payload, with optical and infrared cameras available.

Cost: Approx US$25,600

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4. Volocopter 2X

The Volocopter 2X is a personal helicopter that is aimed at prospective air taxi operators rather than individuals. It has been tried out around the Marina Bay area of Singapore and the company is also in discussions with Neom, Saudi Arabia’s “cognitive city” project, and other cities worldwide.

Cost: Price on request

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